HUNDREDS of dead and dying fish were found in a lake popular with anglers in Liverpool.

A probe is now under way into the deaths of fish found at the lake at Walton Hall Park – home to a variety of species including carp, roach, and tench.

Lake visitors yesterday described seeing a “a film of silver water” consisting of dead fish floating on the surface.

A frantic rescue operation was launched by anglers, who filled nets and transferred fish that were still alive to a nearby boating lake.

Council workmen also came to load bin bags full of dead fish on to the back of vehicles to be taken away.

The cause of the incident is still under investigation, and all angling has been suspended at the lake until further notice.

But many at the scene yesterday blamed the council and accused it of not managing the lake properly.

And a number of anglers claimed contractors had installed a pump the wrong way round, which resulted in the Walton Hall Park lake being starved of oxygen.

But last night Liverpool council said similar incidents were being reported around the country and current weather conditions may have led to an increase in organisms taking up oxygen from the lake.